THE parents of a six-year-old girl who choked to death on a grape have criticised the ambulance service for taking 30 minutes to reach her.

Jasmine Lapsley was on holiday with her family in Morfa Nefyn in North Wales when the tragedy happened in August.

Her parents Robert and Kathleen called an ambulance before trying in vain to dislodge the grape. Neighbours and a fire crew also tried without success.

By the time they arrived and she got to hospital it was too late. We have to live with that for the rest of our lives

Robert Lapsley, father of Jasmine

"She needed the paramedics," said Mr Lapsley. "By the time they arrived and she got to hospital it was too late. We have to live with that for the rest of our lives."

The couple, of Anfield, Liverpool, will relive their nightmare on ITV's Wales This Week to be shown tonight at 8pm.

They criticised the Welsh Ambulance Service, which has repeatedly failed to meet its target of reaching 65 per cent of priority calls within eight minutes. Chief executive Tracy Myhill admitted there was a "cloud" over the service and apologised "unreservedly" to the couple.

An inquiry is due to be completed later this month and an inquest is expected to be held before the end of the year.